United Sees $158 Million Fourth-Quarter Charge

Charge Mostly Tied to Employee Pacts to Take Early Retirement or Accept Furloughs

United Continental Holdings Inc. disclosed it will book $158 million in charges for the fourth quarter, mostly tied to the airline's pacts with employees to either take early retirement or accept furloughs.

United, the second-largest U.S. airline by traffic, said about 1,200 employees volunteered for retirement and about 1,100 flight attendants accepted a voluntary leave of absence that allows for continued medical coverage.